German cars are popular for their high-end engineering and innovations. They are responsible for the introduction of various car safety technologies, such as electronic stability programs and antilock brakes.
Both of these car brands produce safe vehicles, but Mercedes is safer than BMW. This does not mean BMW cars are not safe, but it indicates that Mercedes cars are slightly safer than BMWs. Mercedes-Benz and BMW are some of the safest mid-range luxury car brands on the market.
For a car to be considered safe, it has to pass crash testing. The two main bodies that conduct crash testing in the US are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Make sure your preferred car has passed crash testing before buying it.
Unlike most car brands, BMW and Mercedes not only feature standard safety features, but they also boast of advanced safety features. Mercedes may be safer than BMW, but both of these car brands are safe with lots of excellent features.
Here are some of the key safety features for Mercedes and BMW luxury cars:
BMW Safety Features
BMW comes with a variety of safety features that will keep its occupants safe, even in the course of an accident.
BMW Assist
The BMW assist is a unique safety system that sets BMW apart from other cars. This mechanism sends an SOS in case of a collision. Thanks to the Global Positioning System (GPS) that is incorporated with a wireless phone, your car can be located in a couple of minutes.
Active Driving Assist
Active driving assist is BMW’s standard safety system. It features low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic warning, blind-spot warning, rear automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. The BMW X5 has additional advanced features, including lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, emergency stop assist, and automatic lane change.
Head up display
The head-up display allows the driver to concentrate on the road ahead as they operate or view information on the display. This feature projects the information directly into the driver’s sightline, allowing the driver to process the information quite quickly. Some of the data viewed includes speed limit and collision warning.
Intuitive Technology
One of the main reasons drivers cause accidents is due to toying with technology. BMW’s iDrive 6.0 infotainment system is super smart for the driver’s safety. For instance, gesture control enables the driver to turn up the volume and take calls by moving their hand in front of the display.
Remote Surround View
The remote surround view is another interesting safety feature featured in a few select BMWs. It’s only found on the 5 series and X SAV models. With the help of the BMW App on your phone, you can ensure that your car is safe without needing to be close by. It will alert you when the alarm goes off.
Mercedes Safety Features
Mercedes-Benz cars have some of the best safety features on the market. Here are some of the safety features that make Mercedes safe:
Pre-Safe Technology
The Pre-Safe technology warns drivers if there is imminent danger. It also assists the car to prepare for the collision by closing windows & sunroof, tightening seatbelts, and adjusting front head restraints. This one of the best safety features you will find in a luxury car.
Pre-Safe Brake and Distronic Plus Technology
In addition to the Pre-Safe technology, Mercedes also provides Pre-Safe Brake and Distronic Plus Technology. This technology starts to apply braking power when it senses that an accident is about to occur. On top of that, it will alert the driver and initiate the Pre-Safe Technology.
Accident Investigation
Mercedes has an accident investigation program, which helps them to determine the cause of the accident. They use the information gathered to create better safety systems for their cars. The Mercedes accident investigation program calculates collision angles, car speed, and much more.
Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Monitoring
Since accidents can happen from any direction, Mercedes-Benz decided to include active lane-keeping assist to keep you safe. The lane-keeping assist will keep track of your driving and ensure you’re in the right lane. If it detects that you’re drifting off your lane, it will make the steering wheel vibrate.
The active blind-spot monitoring helps the driver detect vehicles they may not be able to see in the rearview mirror.
Night View Assist Plus
The Night View Assist Plus uses a special camera and invisible infrared beams that allow drivers to see obstacles on the road. This is crucial as it allows drivers to avoid hitting people or animals in the dark. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz cars feature active full-LED headlights that deliver outstanding power at night.
Adaptive High Beam Assist
This safety feature prevents accidents by calculating the glare from oncoming traffic. It uses this data to produce the right amount of illumination that does not hurt other drivers on the road. Thanks to the specialized cameras that scan the road ahead for the lights being produced by oncoming traffic.
Final thoughts about BMW vs Mercedes safety
Both BMW and Mercedes offer incredible safety features. These safety features include Air Bags, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring. Mercedes Benz is the top-rated in this segment. Pre-Safe technology is used in all Mercedes Benz luxury vehicles.
Both are safe choices.
BMW NHTSA Crash safety Rating
Each year, the NHTSA conducts hundreds of vehicle safety tests to determine which vehicles are safest. The 2022 BMW X1, X3 or 3 Series cars earned 5-Star Overall Safety Ratings. This means that they performed well in frontal and side crash tests.
Mercedes is Top Safety Pick+ awarded
When equipped with an optional front-crash prevention system, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety a Top Safety Pick+ award. Vehicles built after November 2020 are eligible for the E-Class award.
FAQ – Mercedes vs BMW
Which car has better safety features – BMW or Mercedes?
Both BMW and Mercedes have outstanding safety features. They have some of the best airbags in the industry and several safety features. Mercedes-Benz has the best safety features, with the PRE-SAFE technology being one of the most advanced safety features on the market.
Which brand of car is better – BMW or Mercedes-Benz?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Mercedes and BMW car brands have a great reputation, which is unmatched by other mid-range luxury car brands. BMW offers the best sporty-looking luxury cars, while Mercedes provides the most comfortable luxury car brands.
If you want comfort and luxury, Benz has an edge over BMW. But if you want performance and user-friendliness, then the BMW car is better. Even though Mercedes has costly repair parts, BMW is more expensive to maintain. So, the luxury car brand that you choose will depend on your needs and tastes.
Is the Mercedes-Benz E class safe?
After rigorous crash testing, the latest Mercedes E-Class received the full five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP independent experts. The car has a 95% rating for adult occupant safety protection. The optional Driving Assistance Plus package offers advanced safety features.
Is the Mercedes-Benz C class safe?
The new Mercedes-Benz C-class was rated 5 stars overall by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). The car scored the highest possible score of “superior” in all categories except for pedestrian protection. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was awarded a Top Safety Pick award by the IIHS in the midsize luxury car/ 4-door sedan category.
What is the safety rating of Mercedes-Benz EQS?
In Euro NCAP’s crash tests, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz-Benz EQS received a 5-star safety rating. The luxury electric sedan scored 96% in adult occupant safety and 91% in child occupant safety categories. These figures were the best ever achieved by any car this year.
Is the BMW i3 a safe car?
The i3 was rated 86% in adult-occupant protection, and 81% for child-occupant protection. These scores are good, but the overall star rating of the i3 was affected by a 57% pedestrian safety result. Standard equipment includes six airbags, electronic stability controls, and a seatbelt reminder alarm buzzer.
Final thoughts
Mercedes and BMW have been rivals for many years. Mercedes vehicles are more luxurious, comfortable, and safer than BMWs, while BMWs are stylish, user-friendly, and perform exceptionally well compared to a Benz. In terms of safety, both of these cars are reliable, although Mercedes has somewhat better safety features than BMW.
